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There's usually no need to see your GP if you or your child have a mild cough for a week or two. However, you should seek medical advice if:

you've had a cough for more than three weeks

your cough is particularly severe or is getting worse

you cough up blood or experience shortness of breath, breathing difficulties or chest pain

you have any other worrying symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss, a persistent change in your voice, or lumps or swellings in your neck

If your GP is unsure what's causing your cough, they may refer you to a hospital specialist for an assessment. They may also request some tests, such as a chest X-ray, allergy tests, breathing tests, and an analysis of a sample of your phlegm to check for infection.